Photo: Alex Green

Can stress cause high PSA levels?

While no research has proven that stress or anxiety causes cancer to start, scientists have known for years that anxiety's lingering cascade of neurotransmitters, hormones and other biological molecules can lead to a rise in PSA and even inflame existing PCa.

sperlingprostatecenter.com - Can Stress and Anxiety Affect my PSA Results? - Sperling Prostate Center

How do you Decalcify your arteries?

4 Ways To De-Calcify arteries Take Vitamin K2. : K2 is a fat-soluble vitamin that may help reduce calcium. ... Consume Vitamin D3. : D3 is another...

Last updated Feb 1, 2022

Who should not take olive oil?

People with diabetes should check their blood sugar when using olive oil. Surgery: Olive oil might affect blood sugar. Using olive oil might affect...

Last updated Sep 28, 2021

Promotion

Few things are more unsettling and stressful than a diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). It causes a state of anxiety. Each step of the journey sparks another wave of anxiety: suspicion, tests, diagnosis, choices, decisions, treatment, recovery, follow-up monitoring, and potential recurrence. These stressors trigger an immediate reaction: the fight-flight-freeze response. Most men can’t just flip a switch to let it go, but it can have negative consequences if it’s not well managed. Anxiety causes an altered state, a lightning-quick surge of biochemicals and electrical nerve messages brilliantly designed to increase the odds of survival when faced by danger. In today’s world, the stressors of life catalyze it as powerfully as nature’s threats did for our remote ancestors. Whether the perceived threat is outside the body or inside the mind doesn’t matter. The body automatically goes into turbo, increasing its speed, strength, and resistance to sudden injury. Afterward, it can either taper off quickly, occur in repeated waves, or worst of all, become a low grade, lingering state of harmful overdrive. Download Our Free Ebook: “How to Manage Prostate Cancer Anxiety” Don’t let anxiety over prostate cancer run you. Instead, learn how you can take charge and empower yourself to manage stress and boost positive treatment outcomes with our “first aid kit” of practical tips and tools. DOWNLOAD NOW

Can a state of stress and anxiety make PCa worse?

Anxiety is surprisingly common among prostate cancer patients. Patients sometimes ask us if their PCa was brought on by stress in their life. While no research has proven that stress or anxiety causes cancer to start, scientists have known for years that anxiety’s lingering cascade of neurotransmitters, hormones and other biological molecules can lead to a rise in PSA and even inflame existing PCa. A 1999 paper reported that abnormal PSA, a signal of prostate disease, was three times higher for men with high levels of stress![i] An important study on stress and BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia, a non malignant gland enlargement) concluded that “…stress conditions may be associated with the development or aggravation of prostatic disease.”[ii] A 2021 PCa paper by Bellinger, et al. describes a biological link between poor coping and worse PCa outcomes, suggesting that stress-triggered anxiety interacts with physiological stress responses in a way that can ramp up tumor activity.[iii] Thus, stress and anxiety set up an unfortunate loop: anxiety leads to rising PSA, and rising PSA fosters more anxiety.

Rising PSA and the cycle of anxiety

What slows down metabolism?

Being less active, losing muscle mass and the aging of your internal components all contribute to a sluggish metabolism. Fortunately, there are...

Last updated Jan 8, 2021

What can I drink to detox my liver at night?

8 Great Bedtime Beverages for Detoxification Chamomile Tea. This tea is mildly bitter due to its sesquiterpene lactone content which helps the...

Last updated Nov 14, 2019

Promotion

Psychologists recognize what’s called the cycle of anxiety, which has four stages:

Stage 1 Feeling anxious and wanting to deal with it.

Feeling anxious and wanting to deal with it. Stage 2 Attempting to avoid the situation. Attempting to avoid the situation. Stage 3 Feeling a temporary sense of relief. Feeling a temporary sense of relief. Stage 4 Returning to a state of heightened anxiety. It’s not unusual for men who are feeling generally stressed in their lives to avoid PSA blood tests to screen for PCa. Although the precise factors that influence this behavior have not been identified, it seems linked with how often they see their doctors; men who have only seen a doctor once have much lower rates of PSA screening than men who see their doctors annually.[iv] However, men who take anti anxiety medications are more likely to get screened than anxious men who do not medicate.[v] The danger in skipping annual PSA blood tests is the increased odds of developing life-threatening PCa. The drop in PSA screening after it was downgraded in 2012 led to more cases of advanced PCa that were not detected sooner. Thus, a cycle of anxiety over PCa can lead to a sad outcome. Let’s take an imaginary case. Mr. Bradbury is in a constant state of anxiety due to his high-pressure job. He starts rationalizing, skipping his annual physical and PSA test. He knows his dad died of PCa, but that’s just one more worry he’s too stressed to deal with. Six years down the road, he starts having migraines that finally bring him to the doctor, who runs a battery of blood tests. Mr. B is shocked that his PSA registers 17.5 ng/ml (for his age, 2-4 would be normal). When his doc orders a biopsy, Mr. B’s anxiety and stress go through the roof. He gains some relief by putting it off, but his doctor pushes for a repeat PSA in three months. However, as the Bellinger study suggests, his stress hormones may be fueling his suspected tumor’s growth and tendency to become more aggressive. When the next blood draw shows his PSA is at 18.2 ng/ml, the doctor recommends he at least go for a prostate MRI, which he again puts off. You can see where this is going. Mr. B is caught in a potentially deadly self-fulfilling prophecy, all because his anxiety was running him until it was out of control.

Managing PCa stress for better disease outcomes

What juice helps kidneys?

To get the best health benefits, be sure to choose 100% organic water-based cranberry juice. So how does cranberry juice help? It can prevent...

Last updated Oct 14, 2022

Can you drink before urine sample?

If you're having only a urinalysis, you can eat and drink before the test. If you're having other tests, you might need to fast before the test....

Last updated Jul 7, 2018

Promotion

PCa stress and anxiety can make matters worse, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are three simple tools that really work to calm the turbo stress engine, using your own consciousness to counter the impact of those physiological changes. Dr. Sperling’s new e-booklet, How to Manage Prostate Cancer Anxiety offers three tools as a “first aid kit” when anxiety hits: Conscious breathing – an easy-to-learn technique called belly breathing takes control of your parasympathetic nervous system to turn off the flow from the stress faucet. Attitude – reframing negative ideas and fear into positive ones is powerful. Visualization – creating peaceful, restful images with your mind’s eye is an antidote to stressful circumstances. Don’t let anxiety over prostate cancer start to run you. Instead, learn how you can take charge, and empower yourself to manage the stress that can erode your well-being if left to run its own course. Dr. Sperling created this practical antidote to PCa stress in response to the predicament of many patients. He recognizes that reducing anxiety is a self-empowering way to boost positive treatment outcomes. You can download the e-book for free here. It contains detailed information and instructions. We hope you find it informative and helpful. NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pelvic pain, or have any other health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.

sperlingprostatecenter.com - Can Stress and Anxiety Affect my PSA Results? - Sperling Prostate Center

Which onion is stronger red or white?

Sweetness is the red onion's greatest strength. The sharpness of its flavor and the intensity of its smell are slightly more potent than that of...

Last updated Jul 13, 2022

What happens if we eat too much dark chocolate?

Side Effects of Dark Chocolate Excessive consumption of dark chocolate can increase caffeine levels in blood, causing increased heart rate, nausea,...

Last updated Jan 30, 2021

Promotion

What are the dangers of tadalafil?

Headache, stomach upset, back pain, muscle pain, stuffy nose, flushing, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell...

Last updated Oct 31, 2019

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

What is the best drink in the morning for high blood pressure?

Orange Juice Consuming a cup of fresh orange juice in the morning can fulfil your daily vitamin requirement. According to various health studies...

Last updated May 17, 2018